OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the 5-year survival rate, in terms of clinical and biological remission, in patients with localized prostate cancer treated with two different radiotherapy regimens using different doses and number of fractions. II. Compare the nadir of PSA and the delay in obtaining the nadir in patients treated with these two regimens. III. Compare acute and long-term toxicity of these two regimens in these patients. IV. Compare overall survival and quality of life in patients treated with these two regimens.